Roulette is often framed as risk vs reward, and inside vs outside bets in roulette are a defining feature. Inside bets usually cover individual numbers or a small cluster of neighbouring numbers found at the centre of the wheel’s layout.
In contrast, outside bets cover larger groups, such as red/black, odd/even, dozens, and columns. Although inside bets can offer higher payouts, outside bets can supply a steadier rate of wins, albeit the returns are generally smaller.
Neither category, of course, guarantees better results. Our in-depth guide explains the mechanics of inside and outside bets and debunks a few myths.
What Are Inside Bets in Roulette?
Inside bets are placed on the numbered section of the table, focused on individual numbers or a small group of adjacent numbers. Our table breaks down inside bet types and their respective payout probabilities:
| Inside bet | Numbers covered | Standard Payout |
| Straight up | 1 | 35:1 |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 |
| Six line | 6 | 5:1 |
Standard roulette inside bets follow these values on conventional European and American layouts. Here are a few other things worth noting about the aforementioned inside bet types:
- Straight-up bets cover one number, making it one of the most precise inside bets in roulette.
- Split bets are used for two adjacent numbers, so placing a split bet between 14 and 17 wins if the ball lands on either 14 or 17.
- Street bets cover a run of three consecutive numbers, offering a middle ground between aggressive and conservative inside betting. Examples include 1-2-3 or 10-11-12.
- Corner bets cover four numbers that converge at a single point on the table. Betting on the corner between 10, 11, 13, and 14 wins if any of those four numbers appear.
- Six-line bets cover six numbers intersecting between two streets. Placing a line between rows 7-8-9 and 10-11-12 covers all six numbers.
What Are Outside Bets in Roulette?
Outside bets in roulette are placed on the outer sections of the table, and they cover a broader range of numbers. We’ve reserved some space to discuss the types of bets they entail:
Even-Money Bets
Even-money bets are perhaps the simplest outside bets in roulette. They can encompass red or black, odd or even, 1-18 or 19-36.
With the latter, 1-18 is deemed a low bet while 19-36 is considered a high bet. These are classic-style wagers where you don’t need to have an intricate understanding of the game, and the payout is EVENS (1:1).
Dozens
Dozens allow players to wager on one of three number ranges. They cover the following — 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36.
Some players might appreciate the intuitive nature of dozens, because they follow a numerical order and they normally pay out at 2:1.
Columns
Column bets cover one of three vertical columns running down the roulette table, and these feature 12 numbers.
Zero and double zero in American roulette are excluded from standard red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozen or column selections. Column bets pay out at 2:1.
Inside vs Outside Roulette Bets: What Is the Difference?
Inside vs Outside bets in roulette are a central tenet of the game, and they have their own set of principles.
In this segment of the guide, we’ve drawn upon their key features in a handy table and made some remarks about their respective values.
| Feature | Inside bets | Outside bets |
| Numbers covered | Usually 1-6 | Usually 12-18 |
| Typical payout | Higher | Lower |
| Probability of winning | Lower | Higher |
| Examples | Straight, split, corner | Red/black, dozen, column |
| Location on layout | Number grid | Outside number grid |
Based on the table, there are a few interesting findings:
- As inside bets cover fewer numbers, their payouts are often higher.
- Long stretches without a win can be normal.
- Outside bets cover broader sections of the table, and their payouts are lower, because the probability of winning is higher.
- Wins may be more steady, but a higher payout doesn’t translate into a higher expected return.
- Similarly, a more regular winning outcome doesn’t mean that an outside bet is guaranteed or more profitable.
- Rather, the pace with outside bets is gentler and offers a more measured approach.
Do Inside and Outside Bets Have Different House Edges?
The house edge refers to the casino’s take from a wager made, and it refers to a theoretical advantage or disadvantage they have.
Picking “inside” instead of “outside” doesn’t determine the house edge by itself. Rather, the roulette variant and any special table rules carry more weight.
There is a common misconception about how house edges work for inside and outside bets. To settle things, we have placed inside bets and outside bets within the context of two popular roulette variants — European and American roulette.
European Roulette
- A standard wheel features a single zero and contains 37 pockets.
- Standard bets will carry a 2.70% house edge.
- This will apply to both standard inside and outside bets.
American Roulette
- A traditional double-zero wheel has 38 pockets.
- Most standard bets will have a 5.26% house edge.
- The American five-number bet, also known as the ‘Basket Bet’, covers five specific numbers — 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3. This is an exception, but it lifts the house edge to 7.89% and is higher than most roulette variants.
Inside and Outside Bets on European Roulette
Not all European roulette tables offer the same rules, but here are some key takeaways from the live casino game worth highlighting:
- European roulette has 37 pockets in total.
- There is one zero and other numbers run from 1 to 36.
- Standard inside and outside bets remain as described above.
- The typical house edge offered is 2.70%.
- The probability of red or black, for example, is lower than 50%, because zero is usually green as opposed to red or black.
- Some tables may apply specific rules, such as La Partage or En Prison, which are both designed to soften the impact of the zero.
- However, when either of these rules is applied to even-money bets, the house edge on these bets can be halved to 1.35%.
Inside and Outside Bets on American Roulette
Some bets may be exclusive to American roulette, but the overall payout is dependent on the bet type you place a wager on, as described below:
- American roulette contains 38 pockets, 1-36 along with a zero, while the double zero is a differentiating factor from European roulette.
- Most standard inside and outside bets will mirror the same payout values as their European counterpart.
- With the additional zero pocket, American roulette has a 5.26% house edge.
- As mentioned, American roulette includes a five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, and 3). If the ball lands on any of these five numbers, you can win with a payout of 6:1. This provides a higher house edge of 7.89%.
Common Misperceptions About Inside and Outside Bets
There are several misperceptions that have been applied to inside and outside bets in roulette, and we’ve decided to debunk these myths.
“Outside bets are safer”
This myth has been created through the confusion between probability and house edge. Outside bets cover more numbers and therefore have a higher probability of winning on an individual spin.
However, there are no guaranteed outcomes. There can still be losses accrued when the ball lands outside the selected group range.
“Inside Bets have a higher edge”
This isn’t generally true when playing standard roulette. On European roulette, normal inside and outside bets usually have the same house edge (2.70%).
In American roulette, most standard inside and outside bets share a house edge of 5.26%.
“Higher payout means better odds”
This is incorrect. Higher payouts often correspond to lower probabilities of winning. Therefore, some bets carry less reward but higher risk.
“Previous spins affect the next result”
Each spin of a roulette wheel is a separate event. The ball and the wheel have no memory of past results; the result of a previous spin does not affect the next one.
Roulette spins are random, and they are independent under standard game conditions. This is designed to ensure fairness and integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inside and Outside Roulette Bets
Is red or black an inside or outside bet?
Red or black is an outside bet, and one of the most recognisable in roulette.
Is a straight-up bet an inside bet?
Yes, it is. It covers a single number on the wheel.
Which pays more, inside or outside bets?
Inside bets will generally offer higher payouts because they cover fewer numbers.
Do outside bets have a lower house edge?
No, not necessarily. On standard European roulette, normal inside and outside bets will generally have a 2.70% house edge.
Is zero an outside number?
Zero is an inside-number selection. It is therefore removed from standard red/black, odd/even, or high/low bets.
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